All Things Health and Wellness

Show your appreciation for the nurses in your life and those you encounter, this week and every day. It can be a thankless job and nurses are present for every healthcare encounter related to your life from birth to death. Nurses are the heartbeat of healthcare and hospitals could not function without them.

HAPPY NURSES WEEK MAY 6-12, 2024.

Thanks to my colleagues for all they do for others !

Spring is a time of renewal after the long cold winter. The flowers and trees have new growth, and many of us are doing some type of spring cleaning. Spring is also a great time to reevaluate your goals and readjust.

Every year I make goals for myself, especially around health and wellness. Did you commit to lose weight and going to the gym three times per week or to be more mindful in what you consume?

This is a great time to review your plans and adjust accordingly so you can get back on track and be successful with your goals. Don’t give up, there are eight months left in the year to fulfil your personal goals.

Solicit assistance if your need to, get a trainer, or change the activity to something more manageable. Examples may include walking in your neighborhood a couple days per week, instead of going to the gym every day; or consuming your largest meal in the middle of the day; or reducing your caffeine intake to one cup per day instead of three.

Simplifying your goals can make a big difference. Whatever you need to do to adjust and make the goal easier to obtain, this is the time. This process may occur several times before the goal is realized.

It will be worth it in the long run so you can see your results and celebrate your wins. You can do it!!!

Don Ruiz the author of “The Four Agreements”

Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, The Four Agreements offer a code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love. 

I will be discussing these agreements as it relates to health and wellness..

1. Be impeccable with your word, speak with integrity: Say what you mean and mean what it and be true to yourself. To be impeccable with others it starts with you being true to yourself. Do not make promises to yourself that you do not plan on keeping (especially as it relates to your health).
2. Don’t take anything personally: Nothing others do is because of you. You have to become immune to the opinions of others. Even when others tell you negative information, about yourself, remember it is not about you.
3. Don’t make assumptions: Find the courage to ask questions and express what you really what to know. This step is essential when talking to your physician. Ensure you ask questions so you understand what is being said.
4. Always do your best: Your best is going to change from moment to moment and will be different when you are sick versus healthy. Your body is your temple and letting go of judgement helps you make good decisions regarding your health and wellness so take action.

October is health literacy month for health organizations, literacy programs, libraries, social service agencies, business, professionals associations and government agencies (Office of Minority Health, 2023).

Healthy People 2030, is an initiative that addresses the health disparities for equity, and to improve health literacy for all including individuals and organizations (Healthy People 2030).

You can do your part by taking care of yourself and others by eating well and increasing your exercise. Take this time to increase your personal health literacy about prevention, health and wellness or any chronic disease that you may have.

Stay well, this is the only body you have.

References:

Healthy People 2030 (https: //health.gov/healthypeople)

Office of Minority Health, 2023

As a registered nurse I am able to observe and serve in many capacities. I have noticed that many young adults, adolescent and children are not using their five senses to navigate through the world. As a result they are not able to cope or communicate effectively with others, because of abuse and neglect by adults. As a result these individuals have anger issues, anxiety, depression or trust issues, and may become homicidal or suicidal.

Parents do not have the tools or the patience to assist their children with these issues. Many of them are not parenting and leaving their children to their own devices. Some of these parents are refusing to pick up their children from the mental health facility after treatment. Thus leaving them in state custody just reinforces their depression and trust issues.

It is apparent that family counseling is essential for many of these families. Psychiatry facilities interact with families but they are not set up to offer intense family therapy. One or two sessions of family therapy is not effective. If the medical community does not embrace treating the family as well as the patient, we will continue to have this revolving door of patients that can not cope. This could be addressed in an outpatient setting.

I am not saying all children admitted to psych facilities have the same issues but many on them have been abused by adults and not parented in a positive way causing depression, anxiety and anger resulting in suicidal or homicidal ideation.

Currently, patients with mental health issues are treated for approximately 10-14 days in a facility if they are homicidal or suicidal. After treatment they are discharged back into the same environment, and some times the parents or guardian refuse to pick them up. If the children age out of the system, (over 18) and not suicidal or homicidal they may become homeless, resulting in other issues.

They are often readmitted back to another facility within 30 to 90 days with the same behavior, and it become a revolving door, especially if they do not take the prescribed medication.

Corporations now manage many mental facilities, and do not listen to health care professionals about effective treatment. Everything is profit oriented. At one time children were not given a diagnosis of schizophrenia because it was known that they have vivid imaginations and may have imaginary friends. Now it is a common diagnosis for children so it can be billed.

Capitalism has it place but it is not a great incentive in healthcare, because we all suffer. Strong mental health is essential for a productive community. The Governor in my state reduced mental funds, so apparently is not a state priority.

If you or someone you know had thoughts of suicide please get some assistance and call the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline. “The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States” (988 Lifeline, 2023).

References

988 Lifeline

Houston Suicide Support: 832-416-1177

“Equal educational opportunity is a prerequisite to achieving racial equality in our Nation.” Justice Sonia Sotomayor

Written by Denetra Hampton ( June 30, 2023)

On Thursday, June 29, 2023, The Supreme Court ruled that the admissions programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina that relied in part on racial considerations violated the United States Constitution. A historical decision that messaged to our students that they must rely on their grades only for admissions. This decision will affect every academic institution, family and student in the country, including nurses.

Without argument our educational system has been disproportionately implemented since the beginning of time and every student of color has been affected on every level disparagingly. The limited use of affirmative action sets our country back decades and widens the gap of disparities for generations. I am deeply saddened.

Why It Matters In Nursing

Disparities in nursing education continue to plaque our ability to move the needle on other issues that in close proximity, keep us from national and global conversations. Whether it is the nursing shortage or access to care, it is important that we are even more intentional about diversity and inclusion in our science narrative. If not, the impact on the mental and physical health of nurses and an entire nation will be catastrophic.

As I continue to press forward the unquestionable relevance of our health and nursing science, the Supreme Court Ruling has been a clear confirmation that the work has to be continued. Let me be clear, the tool of affirmative action has been one of the greatest avenues through which the fight for equity could flow, however as with any life-long fight, it should not be the only one and although deeply disappointed I am confident in the narrative of our next generation of nurse scientists. Onward.

So, to all students, nurse educators and colleagues be encouraged to always be excellent, get involved in those things that challenge your critical thinking, practice and policy. We still have work to do.

Cuncic (2023) states “Imposter syndrome is the internal psychological experience of feeling like a phony in some area of your life, despite any success that you have achieved in that area. You might have imposter syndrome if you find yourself consistently experiencing self-doubt, even in areas where you typically excel”.

We have all felt that way on an occasion but if your feelings manifest as negative self-talk, which causes you have anxiety and you agonize over events that may have not gone right you may have imposter syndrome.

Other symptoms may include overly sensitive to any type of criticism, attributes your success to luck or outside factors, and or you down play your expertise to others because you may feel like a phony. According to Cuncic (2023) you might have imposter syndrome.

We all have questioned our decisions and outcomes, however it becomes a issue if you can not move forward because of you feel inadequate, and you keep comparing yourself to others. This is not a mental health issue, but a professional counselor can assist with sorting out the negative self talk (Cuncic, 2023).

Cuncic, A (2023). Imposter Syndrome: Why You May Feel Like a Fraud. https://www.verywellmind.com/imposter-syndrome-and-social-anxiety-disorder-4156469